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"However, the actual level of coverage in these countries remains unknown."

She said ice had overtaken heroin as the main drug injected in Australian jails, and years of research had proven syringe programs to be safe and effective at reducing infection.

"While we are still grappling with how we can best treat these people, users should be provided with cognitive behavioural therapy to manage their addiction and the underlying problems that led them to use," Professor Dolan said.

"While Australia has led the way in the control of HIV in prison, it still has to control hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

"For every 100 people in prison who has ever injected drugs, 14 will become infected with hepatitis C each year.

"Treatment is available and has been provided in NSW for several years now, but most other states have not yet introduced this costly but effective treatment.

"If other states follow suit, we could virtually eliminate hepatitis C infection from the prison